Virat Kohli would be a happy man after the 2nd ODI, as the Indian bowling attack, especially the spinners ran havoc against the inexperienced South African batting unit.
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The Indian team came into the 2nd ODI on a high after having comprehensively beaten South Africa in the 1st ODI, with Virat Kohli running the show in a masterfully constructed run chase.
With Faf du Plessis ruled out for the series and ABD not available for the first 3 ODI’s, this was India’s chance of stamping their authority on the series, and they did so in emphatic fashion, beating South Africa by 9 wickets with almost 30 overs to spare.
The spin duo of Chahal and Kuldeep spun a web around the South African middle order and bowled with relentless pressure and trickery to tilt the game in India’s favour.
With just 218 on the board it was always going to be difficult for South Africa to make a comeback in the game and Dhawan and Kohli ensured that they didn’t even get a sniff.
In the post match presentation, Kohli heaped praise on his spin duo and how they controlled the game during the middle overs.
“We thought at the toss the ball was going to do a bit early. Again Bhuvi and Bumrah didn’t give too much away. We knew if we got the two openers, the middle order would be shaky. The pitch was harder than Durban and the spinners used it. We knew we won’t get grass on the pitch because when it’s seaming, it can be anyone’s game. We knew the wickets would be hard and dry and knew our wrist pinners can get it to turn anywhere. They just didn’t give SA any chance. 2-0 is a wonderful position to be in. We want to cash in on that.” Kohli said.
South Africa have been pegged back, and pegged back big time. Self-doubt would have become a huge factor in the camp and the young captain, Markram, has a huge task on his hands with respect to rectifying that before the 3rd ODI.
